Circuit-controlling instrument.



APPLICATION FILED MAY H, 1914.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 N V EN TOR.

. C. Nam/#2.

W. C. NEAHR.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLING INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY II, I9I4.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 IN VEN TOR. MLL C. N'AH q WITNESSES: I 64 CiA/ 2 W UNITED sfrafrus PATENT oaricu.

WILL C. NEAHR, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO THE PROTECTIVE SIGNAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF COLORADO.

CIRCUIT-CONTROLLING INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 1', 1916.

Application filed May 11, 1914. Serial'No. 837,870.

vrium is disturbed by the deflection of a rail or other object on which it is supported.

lVhile an instrument of the character of my invention may be effectively employed for various purposes, it is more particularly designed for use in connection with a railway track, to be actuated by the movement imparted to the same bypassing trains, for the purpose of visibly or audibly 21I1I10llll.0 ing their approach at stations, crossings or other distant points along the line, through the instrumentality of a signaling appliance located in the electric circuitin whichthe instrument is connected.

It is the primary object of my invention to provide a circuit controlling instrument of-the type above mentioned, whichwhile sensitive to a degree which compels it to readily respond to any deflection of the track with. which it is associated, is at the same time strong, durable and positive in its action. v 1

Another object of my invention residesin the provision ofa housing which may be readily secured. alongside a rail of-arailway track, and in which. the operating mechanism is protected against. dirt,.dust and moisture. The housing when attached "to the rail, positions the vibrative element of the mechanism tomove in a plane extending longitudinally with relation to the rail and it renders each part of the mechanism readily accessible, with out its being removed from the rail, or otherwise displaced.

A further object of my invention resides in providing a flexible conduit impervious to dust, dirt and moisture, which protects the crnductors of an electric circuit outside the housing and admits their terminals for connectirn with the partsof the mechanism within the same.

An embodiment of my invention has been illustrated the. accompanying drawings in the various views ofwhich likeparts are similarly designated, and in which,

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a rail to which the circuit closing instrument is attached, the detachable cover of the latter having been omitted to show the mechanismwithin the housing, Fig. 2, a section taken along the line 22, Fig.1, Fig. 3, a transversesection alcng the line 33, Flg.

1, and FigJl, a similar section taken along the line 44, Fig. 1.

Referring more specifically to the drawin s, the reference numeral 2 designates an oblong housing of substantially rectangular section which at one of its sides has an opening normally closed by a removable cover plate 3. The plate is attached to the housing by means of cap screws and its juncture with the edge of the same is rendered impervious to moisture by means of an interposed sheet 5 of suitable packing material. The housing has at its front portion, an oblique downwardly and forwardly projecting boss 6 which is longitudinally bored to provide a passage 7 for the conductors of electricity 10, comprised in a circuit in which the instrument is connected, and a threaded socket 8 for the connection of a tubular conduit 9 in which said conductors are inclcsed. The conduit is preferably made of flexible metalic and rubber tubing which thoroughly protects the conductors of electricity against iniur v, breakage and moisture-andwhich effectively excIudesthe dust, dirt. and moisture from the opening in the housing through which they enterthe interior thero f. To further insulate the .conductors'lO, they are incased in an envelop12 .of .nonconductive material, and they: are provided at their extremities with aperturect terminal lugs 13 which facilitate their attachment to the binding posts of the mechanism disposed within the housing, as will hereinafter be described. The bottom surface of the housing slants rearwardly upwardly to provide in coniunction with a flange 14 which extends horizontally below the said surface, a recess capable of admitting the flange 15 of a railway rail 16 at one side of the web 17 of the same.

The flange 14 has adjacent its ends. transverse passages for through-bolts 18 which at cne of their extremities are threaded for the application of .nuts 19 and which at their oposite. ends. are. bent. reversely to. provide books 20 capable of embracing the edge of the flange of the rail opposite to that disposed Within the recess of the housing.

It will be seen that by the means hereinbefore described, the housing may be securely clamped on any rail, irrespective of its weight, in a position in which its body portion extends along side the web of the rail longitudinally with relation thereto and with its open side outermost.

The housing has interiorly upon its rear wall, two transverse ribs 21 for the attachment of the operating mechanism in spaced relation to the same. The mechanism is in its entirety assembled upon a supporting plate 22 which is fitted in mortises' in the ribs 21 and which is rigidly secured to the same by the use of screws 23.

Binding posts 24 and 25 hereinbefore referred to, are provided for the connection of the operative parts of the mechanism with the conductors of electricity which enter the iousing through its passage 7 The posts are supported upon a block 26 of fiber or other suitable insulating material which is secured upon the face of the plate substantially opposite to the said passage by means of screws 27.

The supporting plate 22 has for the attachment of different parts of the operating mechanism, forwardly projecting lugs designated respectively by the numerals 28, 29, 30 and 81. the ends of the plate, serves for the support of the vibrative element of the mechanism, and the lug 29 which is formed at the opposite end of the plate has interiorly a slot for the guidance of the element during its move ment in a vertical plane.

The vibrative element is composed of a flat spring 32 which atone of its ends is secured upon the lug 28 by means of a washer and screw 33 and which at its opposite extremity carries a poise 34. The spring when at rest is, at its end at which it is attached to the plate, supported upon the head of an adjusting screw 35 which projects into a threaded aperture in the lug 3l and is held in its adjusted positions by means of a set nut 36. The outer end of the'poise is reduced in diameter and projects loosely'into the before-mentioned slot of the lug 29 which guides it during its vibrative motion and limits the extent thereof.

Two leaf springs 37 and 38 placed one above the other are at one of. their ends, secured upon the lug 30 which projects from the upper edge of the supporting plate. The springs are insulated from the parts to which they are attached, by blocks 39 of nonconductive material between which their ends are disposed and which are fastened to the lug 30 by screws 40, as best shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The springs are separated at their opposite ends which rest The lug 28 located at one of loosely upon a block of nonconductive material 41 fastened upon the end lug 29 of the supporting plate, a metallic plate 42 in electrical contact with the ends of both the lower and upper springs at which it is secured upon the log 30, is by means of a wire 43, electrically connected with the binding post 24:, and the lower spring is provided with a platinum contact plate 50 to engage a similar plate 51 at the upper edge of a contact member 44 which is secured on the poise 34.

The contact member consists of a headed screw which projects through a bore in the poise and is secured thereto by the use of a nut applied to its lower threaded extremity, a bushing and washers of nonconductive material are provided to insulate the contact H from the poise, and a flexible wire L5 serves to connect the same with the binding post 25.

The lower spring 37 serves in the operation of the instrument to close the circuit in.

which it is connected, and the function of the upper spring 38 which is made of heavier materiahisto counteract excessive upward motion of the vibrative element when the instrument is subjected to jars of more than ordinary intensity.

In the construction shown in the, drawings, the contact members 44: and 37 are in engagement when the vibrative element is at rest, and thereby render the instrument capable for use in a normally closed electric circuit. It will be understood, however, that by slightly changing the proportions or relatlve positions of the parts, the two members maybe arranged to be separated when the element is at rest, whereby to adapt the de vice for use in a normally open circuit. In either'case the normal condition of the circuit is reversed when by movement of a rail to which the instrument is attached, the equilibrium of the vibrative element is disturbed. Y

The position of the element longitudinally with relation to the rail, is of considerable Value inasmuch as it renders the instrument highly sensitive to the movements-of the rail and at the same time prolongs the life of the spring and preserves its elasticity by the elimination of all transverse stress.

The clamping means on the housing adapt it for ready attachment to rails of different weights, the arrangement of the removable cover permits of inspection of the operating mechanism inclosed in the housing, without the necessity of disturbing the latters position on the rail, the method of introducing the conductors of electricity into the housing, and the manner in which the cover is secured over its opening, positively protect the mechanism within the housing, from dust, dirt and moisture, the assemblage of the parts of the mechanism on a supporting plate separate from the housing makes it possible to remove the entire mechanism for repairs or other purposes, without the necessity of detaching the'housing from the rail or of disturbing the position of the conductors of electricity after they have been disconnected from the binding posts, and the provision of but two points of contact between the said supporting plate and the housing gives to the plate acertaindegree of elasticity which tends to lessen the effect on the mechanism of sudden and violent shocks to which the rail may be subjected by the passage of heavy and rapidly moving trains.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: V

1. In a circuit-controlling instrument, a spring fixed at one of its ends, and a poise secured at its opposite end, an insulated contact carried on said poise, and a resilient contact member supported separate from said spring to be engaged by said contact during movement of the same.

2. In a circuit-controlling instrument, a vibrative element including a conductive part, a leaf-spring mounted separate from said element to be engaged by said part during movement of the same, and a second leaf, spring normally separated from, the other, to be engaged thereby for conjunctive movement. I

3. In a circuit controlling instrument, a vibrative element including a conductive part, a leaf spring disposed to be engaged by said part, and a second leaf spring of less resiliency, normally separated from the other, to be engaged thereby for conjunctive movement.

t. In a circuit controlling instrument, a vibrative element including a conductive part, a pair of leaf springs secured at one of their ends, and separated at their opposite ends, the said springs being disposed to engage each other for conjunction'movement and so that one is engaged by said conductive part.

5. In a circuit-controlling instrument, a vibrative element including a conductive part, a pair of leaf springs of different degrees of resiliency, secured at one of their ends, and separated at their opposite ends, the said springs being disposed to engage each other for conjunctive movement and so that one is engaged by said conductive part.

6. In a circuit controlling instrument, a vibrative element including a conductive part, a pair of separated leaf-springs fixed at one end of their ends, and loosely supported at their opposite ends, the said springs being disposed to engage each other for conjunctive movement and so that one is engaged by said conductive part.

7. In a circuit-controlling instrument, a

vibrative element composed of a spring fixed at one of its ends and a poise carried at its opposite end, a contact-member disposed to be engaged by a conductive part of said element, and an adjustable abutment for limiting the vibrative movement of said element.

8. In a circuit controlling instrument, a vibrative element composed of a spring fixed at one of its ends and a poise carried at its opposite end,'a contact member disposed to be engaged by a conductive part of said element, and an adjustable abutment for limiting the vibrative movement of said element by engagement with its said spring.

9. In a circuit controlling instrument, a plate capable of being secured upon a suitable support, and having integral forwardly projecting lugs, a vibrative element mounted on one of said lugs in insulated relation thereto, a contact-member mounted on another one of said lugs in insulated rela tion thereto, an insulated contactmember on said element for engagement with the first-mentioned member, and binding posts insulated from said plate in electrical connection with said contact-members.

10. In a circuit-controlling instrument, a plate capable of being secured upon a suitable support, and having integral forwardly projecting lugs, a vibrative element mounted on one of said lugs in insulated relation thereto, a contact-member mounted on another one of said lugs in insulated relation thereto, an adjustable abutment on a third lug for limiting the vibrative movement of said element, an insulated contactmember on said element for engagement with the first-mentioned member, and binding posts insulated from said plate in electrical connection with said contact-members.

11. In a circuit-controlling instrument. a plate capable of being secured upon a suitable support ancl having integral forwardly projecting lugs, a spring mounted at one of its ends on one of said lugs in insulated relation thereto, a poise carried at the opposite end of the spring and extending in a guidingslot in another one of the lugs, a contact-member secured upon a third lug in insulated relation thereto, an insulated contact-member carried on said poise for engagement with the first-mentioned member, and binding posts insulated from said plate in electric connection with said members.

12. In a circuit-controlling instrument. a plate capable of being secured to a suitable support, a vibrative element mounted on said plate in insulated relation thereto, an insulated contact member mounted on said plate separate from said element, an insulated contact member carried on said element to en age the firstmentioned member during vibrative movement of the element, and insulated binding posts on said plate in electric connection with said members. I

18. In a circuit-controlling instrument, a plate capable of being secured to a suit- 5 able support, a vibrative element mounted on said plate in insulatedrelation thereto,

an insulated contact member-mounted on said plate separate fromsaid element, an insulated contact-member carried on said element to engage the first-mentioned member during the vibrative movement of the element, an adjustable abutment on said plate for limiting the movement of said element, and insulated binding posts on said plate 1n electric connection W1th said members.

14. In a circuit-controlling instrument, a plate capable of being secured to a suitable support, a spring fixed at one of its ends on poise carried at the opposite end of said spring and extending into a guiding slot in a part of said plate, an insulated contact,

member on said plate separate from said element, an insulated contact-member on said poise to engage the first-mentioned member during vibrative movement of the element and insulated binding posts on said plate in electric connection with said mem- 30 bers.

said plate in insulated relation thereto, a

15. In a circuit closing instrument, a sprmg fixed at one of its ends and carrying a poise at its opposite end, contact mem-- said spring for limiting its movement inone direction.

17. In a c1rcu1t controllmg instrument, a vibrative element including a conductive part, and a pair of leaf-springs mounted separate from said element to engage one another for conjunctive movement and With relation to the said element, so that one of them will be engaged by said conductive part, during movement of the element.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

WILL C. NEAHR. Witnesses G. J. ROLLANDET, L. RHoADEs.

Copies of thispatent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Pat ents,

Washington, D. C. i 

